The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has confirmed a tragic accident involving a suspected drunk driver who crashed into a unit of soldiers during their route march in Lagos State.
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni confirmed the unfortunate incident in Lagos.
According to him, the sad incident is confirmed, but investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the damage caused by the accident.
A car driven by a suspected drunk driver, early Friday rammed into the soldiers around the Myoung Barracks Army Sports Camp on training exercise.
Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to inform the general public of a tragic incident that occurred this morning, Friday 31 January 2025, during the Bi-Annual Route March near Myhoung Barracks in Yaba, Lagos State.
The route march, which is an NA training exercise designed to enhance operational readiness, involved NA formations across Lagos State.
The exercise had earlier been announced on various media platforms to create public awareness.
Tragically, a driver in a private vehicle recklessly ran into the participating troops resulting in the death of a soldier with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.
The deceased has been deposited in the mortuary while the injured are currently receiving medical care at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba, Lagos.
The 81 Division Military Police in conjunction with other relevant security agencies are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident.
The General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, wishes to express his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldier while praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded.
He has also called for calm among the public as investigation into the sad occurrence has commenced.
The Division remains steadfast in its commitment to training and readiness to discharge its duties despite this devastating event.
Furthermore, this tragic loss will not deter the Division’s dedication to safeguarding the lives and properties within its Area of Operations in accordance with the NA’s constitutional mandate.
Unconfirmed reports said some soldiers sustained injuries while the car had been vandalised by aggrieved persons.
The incident occurred few minutes after the soldiers set out on the route march from Myoung Barracks in the Morocco area of Shomolu.
The injured ones are being treated at the Nigerian Army Hospital, Yaba, while the bodies of the deceased soldiers have also been deposited in the morgue.
Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army, had on Thursday, announced that it will be conducting its first Bi-Annual Route March today ( Friday).
The 15km route march, which was cut short as a result of the unfortunate incident, was supposed to traverse portions of both the mainland and island areas of Lagos.
The announcement also warned residents to remain calm as the route march is a routine military exercise.
Military source who do not wish their names mentioned because they are not authorized to speak to the media said the driver drove into the crowd of soldiers, killing some of them on the spot.
The source also said that the driver of the vehicle have since been taken into custody. However, the source could not say where he is being detained for questioning.
“The route march came to abrupt stop as a result of the incident. I cannot give accurate account of the number of those who died but many soldiers sustained severe injuries while a few others died” the witness added.